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The obvious reason people love their local restaurants is the quality of the food. However, professionally-printed custom signage plays a huge role in enticing curious customers, informing regulars about new updates, and adding to the overall ambiance. Below is a list of popular and practical signs for your restaurant.
Key Takeaways
- Before you purchase your sign, consider the material, your budget, size, visibility, regulations, and whether or not it will be placed indoors or outdoors;
- Both indoor and outdoor signs for small food businesses serve several purposes, ranging from attracting more foot traffic to decoration.
Why Your Small Food Business Needs Signage
Are you experiencing a slow day at work? Maybe people don’t know about your deals. Or maybe they don’t know about your business at all. This is where outdoor signage comes in.
Once your guests are inside, do they know about your best-sellers or special deals? If not, then you’ll likely need to invest in indoor signage.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sign
You do not need to get too bogged down in the details. Customers prefer clean and clear signage over flashy images and information overload. Six sign components you’ll want to consider before purchasing one are the materials, reusability, size/visibility, your budget, knowing your local regulations, and your audience.
Material
One of the first questions you will want to ask before purchasing a new sign is, “What is its purpose?” The second question you’ll want to ask is, “Will I be placing it outside, or indoors?” The answer to these two questions will help you decide which material your sign should be made of. If your sign will be placed outdoors, you’ll want it to be made of materials known for being durable, weather-resistant, and long-lasting. Popular materials for outdoor signs for small food businesses include metal and plastic.
For indoor signs, you can choose materials that don’t need to withstand harsh weather conditions, like paper, foam, and chalkboards.
Reusability
When you purchase your sign, will you be able to use it for several purposes? Do you even want to, or do you need something that serves as a short-term solution? Either option is fine depending on the sign’s purpose. This consideration is critical, especially when you go into the design phase of your sign-making process.
Size and Visibility
A sign is useless if your customers cannot see it. Therefore, you’ll want to think about the sign’s size and where you will be placing it in your restaurant. If you skip this consideration, you might be throwing your money down the drain.
Budget
Speaking of money, how much do you have enough to spend on money on a sign? If you do not have much, it’s not the end of your exploration; you’ll just have to adjust the size and materials of your sign. There are plenty of budget-friendly signs you can choose from in the list below. It is important to remember that signs are an investment. The more you pay, the likelier a sign that’s more expensive due to high-quality material will last longer than one made from cheaper materials.
Local Permits and Regulations
This consideration is especially important if your sign is going to be mounted outside. Since so many cities have different ordinances, one sign might be permitted in one city, but not in another. Be sure to check in on your local government regulations first before you make a final purchase.
Audience and Foot Traffic
Are you targeting the right audience? Is it placed in an area of high foot traffic? If your message isn’t coherent or targeting your customers, you’d be making a sign in vain.
Outdoor and Storefront Signs
If you’re looking to attract foot traffic, advertise deals to curious customers, or looking for a rebrand, then these six outdoor signs can help you in that pursuit.
A-Frame Signs
A-frame signs are easy to maneuver, whether near entrances or on sidewalks. The steel frame allows for stability, while the coroplast sign can showcase specials, hours of operation, and best-sellers. It’s also a perfect tool to usher in foot traffic with wayfinding symbols.
Window Decals
With window decals, you can create consistent branding with a unique logo or design, promote specials, seasonal foods, or a message that welcomes all who crave good food.
Aluminum Signs
These multipurpose signs are some of the most popular for businesses, big or small. Place informational or promotional aluminum signs near your entrance, install “to-go orders only” or “reserved space for delivery” signs in designated parking spaces, or make polite suggestions such as “please turn your radio speakers down” in your drive-thru.
Vinyl Banners
Are you looking to attract customers from a distance? If so, vinyl banners can make your promotion or special message highly visible with their large format and vibrant printing. Vinyl banners are especially useful if you want to announce a grand opening or celebrate your establishment’s anniversary.
Window Clings
Window clings are another simple yet effective marketing tool. They’re ideal for letting customers know about your store hours, which is all the more important if you have different hours throughout the week. Restaurants can also customize window clings to display their company logos or festive holiday greetings.
Illuminated / LED Signs
If you want customers to see your restaurant’s name day or night, but are worried about energy use? Illuminated LED signs are energy-efficient solutions that will literally light up your brand.
Indoor Sign Options for Small Food Businesses
Indoor signs can help you showcase new additions to your menu, notify customers about special deals, or serve as beautiful decorations. These 10 sign options can help you with these needs and more.
Retractable Banners
One of the great things about retractable banners is their versatility. You can show off your most popular dishes and display them throughout your dining area, near your entrance, or take them with you to events to promote your restaurant.
Acrylic Signs
Acrylic signs are another popular option for businesses across various industries. For restaurants, you can use them to display a tasteful menu design or mount them on your wall to make a wayfinding sign.
Gator Board Signs
Mount these reliable displays on your wall so customers can read your menu, or create a unique Gator Board sign to decorate your restaurant and enhance the dining experience.
Tabletop Retractable Banners
Since these miniature tabletop retractable banners are easy to position on tables and counters, they are a popular choice for restaurants. Although you can print anything you want on them, they’re often used to promote best-sellers, new items, or special menus.
Pedestal Signs
If you want to place signs on all the tables or counters throughout your restaurant, then pedestal signs are an excellent economical choice. Use them as a menu, or print a QR code on the sign that leads hungry customers to a digital menu.
Posters
Custom-printed posters are a cost-effective choice for informing patrons about reward programs and announcements, or showcasing a professional shot of your best-selling dishes or drinks.
Foam Board Signs
Foam board signs are both simple and professional. Their sleek design makes colors soft and easy on the eyes. Restaurant owners use them for special menus or decorations that are consistent with the restaurant’s image.
PVC Signs
PVC signs work great as menus or decoration. Since they are water-resistant, they are easy to reuse. If you choose to print menus on them, then customers can rely on them every time they walk inside your establishment.
Chalkboard Signs
These are a fun and innovative way to engage with your clientele. Use them to create new messages with unique artwork, announce new specials, or simply provide a friendly message.
Digital Menu Boards
This is a practical option if your menu frequently changes, or if you have different menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, since most digital boards are made out of LED screens, customers will have an easy time discerning all the information displayed on the menu.
Improve Your Visibility with the Right Signage
| Types of Outdoor Signs | Material | Popular Sizes | Popular Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Signs | |||
| A-Frame Signs | Display is coroplast and the frame is steel. | Display Size 24"x18"; Frame Size 25"x30" | Guiding foot traffic. |
| Window Decals | Vinyl | 24"x30" | Promoting special deals. |
| Aluminum Signs | Aluminum metal | 12"x18"; 24"x36" | Safety, informational, parking, and entrances. |
| Vinyl Banners | Vinyl | 48"x24"; 72"x36" | For promotions or messages. |
| Window Clings | Flexible polyvinyl chloride | 9"x12"; 12"x24" | Showcasing store hours. |
| Illuminated / LED Signs | PVC and Acrylic | 2'x6'; 3'x6' | For high visibility. |
| Indoor Signs | |||
| Retractable Banners | Vinyl banner and aluminum stand | 36”x92”, 48”x92”, 60”x92” | Entrance displays or events. |
| Acrylic Signs | Acrylic Glass | 12"x18; 24"x24"; 18"x36" | For elegant and stylish menu design. |
| Gatorboard Signs | Polystyrene foam core, encased in two wood-fiber veneer layers. | 12"x18", 18”x24”, 24"x36" | Wall-mounted menus or decor. |
| Tabletop Retractable Banners | Vinyl banner and aluminum stand | 11.625" x 17.5" | High-light best-sellers. |
| Pedestal Signs | White Plastic Polystyrene | 4"x"6, 6"x8", 8"x10" | Small menu or leads to a bigger one via QR code |
| Posters | Photo Paper | 11” x 17”; 18” x 24”; 24” x 36” | Advertising new items or best-sellers. |
| Foam Board Posters | Foam core sandwiched between two adhered sheets of paper. | 12”x18”; 18”x24”; 24”x36” | For menus or decor. |
| PVC Signs | PVC Plastic | 24"x24"; 24"x36", 36"x36" | For menus or decor. |
| Chalkboard Signs | Plywood and chalkboard paint | 24"x36"; 40"x60" | Adjustable menus. |
| Digital Menu Boards | LED Screens | Ranges from 43 inches to 55 inches | Adjustable menus and legibility. |
Using the wrong sign, or worse, no sign at all, can hinder your business in more ways than one.
On the flip side, the right sign can work wonders. Once you figure out which sign works for you, you can start the design process.
Explore our intuitive design tool to help you make it exactly as you envision it. If you have any issues, please feel free to contact our design team today!